I really like this question as I have used only the stainless since coming to UNL.  I used Mapes in the "private" world for 15 years and wonder know why I didn't go stainless sooner!   Also,Jim,  do you have some old wire in the corner of the shop somewhere?  Old vs. new wire might be another study... Best, Paul <table width=100%> <tr valign=top> <td width=40%>Jim Busby <jim_busby@byu.edu> Sent by: caut-bounces@ptg.org 08/27/2007 07:30 PM <table border> <tr valign=top> <td bgcolor=white> <div align=center>Please respond to College and University Technicians <caut@ptg.org></div></table> <td width=59%> <table width=100%> <tr valign=top> <td> <div align=right>To</div> <td>College and University Technicians <caut@ptg.org> <tr valign=top> <td> <div align=right>cc</div> <td> <tr valign=top> <td> <div align=right>Subject</div> <td>Re: [CAUT] Scientific study - Stainless wire (Help!)</table> <table> <tr valign=top> <td> <td></table> </table> Hi Jurgen,   You’re right. I can’t see why Americans don’t use it, except that they haven’t used it. I “went out on a limb” and experimented with it on one piano. Now after about 3 years I’ll use it EVERY time I can!   I think the tuning stability has to do with the malleability that Daniel mentioned. It’s absolutely amazing to me that it takes only two or three tunings on a newly strung piano and it’s stable, ready to play without any “prepping” (bending, etc.) Besides the stainless factor I think this is the biggest reason why I use it. Instant stability. Good question. Thanks.   Jim Busby BYU   <div align=center> <hr></div> From: caut-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces@ptg.org] On Behalf Of Jurgen Goering Sent: Monday, August 27, 2007 5:09 PM To: caut@ptg.org Subject: Re: [CAUT] Scientific study - Stainless wire (Help!)   Hello Jim, this sounds like a very worthwhile, interesting, and for me, exciting prospect.   As a believer in stainless wire for many different situations and applications, I am surprised it is so slow to get recognition in North America.   Among the things you mention, I wonder if there is any way to study how and why stainless wire attains such a high degree of tuning stability.   Jurgen Goering Piano Forte Supply (250) 754-2440 info@pianofortesupply.com http://www.pianofortesupply.com     On Aug 27, 2007, at 14:48, Jim Busby wrote: List,   We (BYU) finally are ready to do some scientific studies of stainless wire. This will be conducted by Physics professors/students here at BYU. Could any of you help me pose some “questions”, “queries” or whatever you want to call it, for these studies?   One of our student piano technicians is doing his senior project and his professors (who we’ve bugged for years) are just now getting excited about this.   Here are some things I’ve thought of;   1 What are the actual differences in sound between stainless and Mapes or Roslau? (Spectrum, etc.) 2 What are the differences in inharmonicity between the two? 3 (how?) Do bass strings with stainless core sound different than other core? 4 etc….   Jim Ellis, others, I’d really like some input on this. We have our ducks in a row so now is the time.   Thanks, Jim Busby BYU